Latest news with #FinalFour-bound
GMA Network
28-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran sweeps Mapua to complete NCAA men's volleyball Final Four cast
NCAA Colegio de San Juan de Letran swept Mapua University, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20, to officially clinch a spot in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball Final Four on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. The victory improved the Knights' standing to 12-6 to book the last ticket to the semifinals, while fellow Final Four-bound Cardinals slipped to 14-4 to cap the elimination round. Aside from Letran and Mapua, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Arellano University are also in the Final Four. Vince Himzon led the Knights with 15 points built on 13 attacks and two blocks, while Bembem Bautista and Dave Lardizabal chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. Arjay Ramos top-scored Mapua with 10 points, while Barbie San Andres had eight points as the Cardinals closed the second round with back-to-back losses. While the Knights will take on the fourth spot in the semis, their opponent will officially be determined by Friday as Benilde takes on Lyceum of the Philippines University for its final game. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Benilde sweeps Mapua, books ticket to NCAA men's volleyball Final Four
NCAA De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde swept league-leading Mapua University, 25-22, 25-20, 25-23, on Friday in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball tournament to officially book a ticket to the Final Four. The Cardinals were trying to extend the match as they were tied with the Blazers, 20-20. James Marasigan then put the Blazers in front before a block touch challenge by Benilde went in their favor. An attack error put the Cardinals within one but Rocky Roy Motol's attack and a block by the Blazers pushed them to match point. Mapua then salvaged two more before Jacob Herrera put the exclamation point for the Blazers. Marasigan led the Taft-based squad with 14 points and 14 receptions, while Motol and Herrera had 11 points each. The Blazers, meanwhile, held scoring leader Barbie San Andres to just nine points, while Arjay Ramos had 11 points for Mapua. Olsen Jamisola added 10 points. With the victory, Benilde returned to the Final Four for the first time since Season 94 in 2019 when they reached the finals against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. In Season 95, the tournament was cut short due to the pandemic, while they missed the semis bus in Seasons 98 and 99. No men's tournament was held in Seasons 96 and 97. The win also propelled Benilde to the second spot as they improved to 13-3 behind the league-leading Cardinals who slipped to 14-3. The Blazers will still face defending champion Perpetual and Lyceum of the Philippines University, while the Final Four-bound Mapua will finish the elimination round against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Wednesday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sienna Betts scores 16 points leading West over East 104-82 at McDonald's All-American game
NEW YORK (AP) — Sienna Betts scored 16 points as the UCLA commit led the West to a 104-82 win over the East on Tuesday night in the McDonald's All-American girls game at Barclays Center. Betts, the younger sister of UCLA All-American Lauren Betts, finished with MVP honors, grabbing seven rebounds and handing out two assists. Breanna Stewart, whose WNBA's New York Liberty also play at the Barclays Center, presented Betts with an award after the win. Other WNBA stars on hand included Rickea Jackson of the Los Angeles Sparks, DiJonai Carrington of Connecticut and Courtney Williams at courtside. Advertisement The West roster also featured guard Aaliyah Chavez, the top girls' prospect in the nation according to 247Sports. Chavez is committed to Oklahoma. The East squad featured a trio of Tennessee signees led by guard Mia Pauldo, forward Deniya Prawl and guard Jaida Civil. Pauldo had nine points, seven assists and three rebounds for the East. Stanford also had three commitments in the game with guard Hailee Swain and forward Lara Somfai of IMG Academy playing for the East and forward Alexandra Eschmeyer with Betts on the West roster. Texas and South Carolina, both Final Four-bound, had its representatives. Forwards Ayla McDowell and Agot Makeer both are headed to join coach Dawn Staley with the Gamecocks, while guard Aaliyah Crump was the lone McDonald's All-American heading to Texas. ___ AP sports:
New York Times
18-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Which women's March Madness teams have Cinderella potential?
March Madness is named so for a reason; pandemonium can break loose at any given moment. All it takes is a banked-in midrange, a turnover and a ball flying into the stands off a simple inbounds play to equally sow the seeds of hope and doubt. Cinderella runs are what add that extra level of excitement to the NCAA Tournament. Watching a team go from a relative unknown to heroes on their campus after an upset is what it's all about. Advertisement For the purpose of our exercise, let's consider a Cinderella pick a No. 9 seed or lower, as those seeds are typically first-round underdogs. Which teams should you keep track of and learn about before the games start? The Jackrabbits were never in danger of losing the Summit auto bid, but they would've had a stellar case to make the field as an at-large. They defeated multiple tournament-bound teams: Creighton, Oregon and Ball State. They also played competitively against Georgia Tech and nearly knocked off Duke at home. The Jackrabbits have won five NCAA Tournament games, most recently beating USC in the No. 8 versus No. 9 game in 2023 before a close loss to eventual Final Four-bound Virginia Tech in the second round. TO THE DANCE 💃#GoJacks 🐰 — Jackrabbit WBB (@GoJacksWBB) March 10, 2025 Boasting the nation's 10th-best offensive rating, per Basketball Reference, South Dakota State is lethal with a top-notch post player, Brooklyn Meyer. She excels as a scorer and facilitator on the block, and the team is creative in getting her touches. Almost every player in the rotation can shoot the ball at a high level, with three players in the top five of minutes played shooting over 40 percent from deep during conference play. They move the ball, take care of it and don't often waste second-chance opportunities or extra possessions. They're not an easy out in March. In nine seasons at the helm of his alma mater, Larry Vickers has built Norfolk State into a mid-major power and the best team in the MEAC. This marks the third straight NCAA Tournament appearance and the highest seeding they've received. The Spartans tout the fifth-best defense, allowing just 80 points per possession per CBB Analytics. They finished first in the country in Hakeem percentage, which combines steal and block percentage, ending over a third (33.5 percent) of opponent possessions with a forced turnover. Norfolk State finished with two SEC wins on the year, Missouri and Auburn, and nearly picked up a third in a tightly contested game with No. 5 seed Alabama. Hearing our name called on Selection Sunday never gets old!#GoldStandard🔰 — Norfolk State Women's Basketball (@NorfolkStateWBB) March 17, 2025 Diamond Johnson, the MEAC Player of the Year, is a pro-level talent at the point guard position, and her ability to create shots for herself and others has elevated the offense since transferring from NC State two seasons ago. She's remarkably shifty and dynamic off the dribble, capable of getting to the rim or touching the paint in an instant. Advertisement Kierra Wheeler brings a frontcourt presence that works in tandem with Johnson in the post, in the pick-and-roll and in running the court in transition. With a staunch defense and multiple players who can knock down open shots, the Spartans pose a threat in the first round and shouldn't be taken lightly. Montana State returns to the NCAA Tournament, making its first appearance since 2022 in exhilarating fashion with a buzzer-beating Big Sky championship victory. Something out of a movie 🎥#All4One | #GoCatsGo — Montana State WBB (@MSUBobcatsWBB) March 13, 2025 Coach Tricia Binford has built Montana State into a consistent winning program, and her 20th season at the helm in Bozeman, Mont., could be the most special. The Bobcats use a frenetic defense, stealing the ball more than any other team in the country, forcing a steal on 20.3 percent of opponent possessions, per CBB Analytics. They ranked 15th in press frequency, according to Synergy Sports, 32.6 percent of all defensive possessions involving a pressing defense. Montana State isn't your typical mid-major. Only four players are listed shorter than 6 feet. Though the Bobcats' press is key, they're no slouch defending in the halfcourt either, using a lot of switching to contain the ball, which is not all that dissimilar from what you might see watching the WNBA. Their best offense is typically spurred on by their great defense. If they can set the press, sit down in the gaps and play their way, every player is a threat to catch-and-shoot or drive. It'll be incredibly fun to watch two similar styles meet when Montana State meets Ohio State in the first round. Harvard is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007, and its defensive growth helped get it here. The Crimson were solid last season, but their defense ranked in the bottom third of the country and held them back. This season, they finished with the 11th-best defense. Not a bad turnaround! Simply HER. Hear from Harmoni Turner following her historic performance.#GoCrimson x #BelieveIt — Harvard Women's Basketball (@HarvardWBB) March 15, 2025 Central to Harvard's success is star guard Harmoni Turner. She's a nonstop player, constantly in the mix on either end of the ball and attacking the game. A member of the NCAA's 2,000-point-scorer club, Turner creates at all three levels. With a crafty handle and her unending energy, she's adept at attacking the lane and using dynamic angles to put the ball in the hoop. Outside the arc, her footwork is crisp and her pull-up jumper is immaculate, whether she's going sideways after a hesi or canning a stepback. Give her too much defensive attention, and she'll pick you apart with her vision and find a cutting teammate. The Crimson play sharp, precise and efficient basketball, and Turner's brilliance is the cog in the machine that's propelled Harvard to its highest NCAA Tournament seeding. (Photo of Carrie Moore: Erica Denhoff / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
